Michael Bross

Game Music

Oddworld Celebrating 18 Years of Abe with Vinyl

October 19, 2015 | Shawn Sackenheim | 157 Comments Share this

To celebrate the 18th anniversary of their quirky, dystopian do-gooder, Abe, developer Oddworld Inhabitants will offer a collector’s edition vinyl release of his latest adventure. Available for pre-order now, the Oddworld: New ‘n Tasty album will ship in late November and come pressed on 180 gram black vinyl ($30) with a limited run of 500 copies on green vinyl ($33). A bundle of both versions is also available for approximately $60.

All versions of the album will be produced by Black Screen Records and include a two-sided A2 poster and full color gatefold sleeve. If you’re an Oddworld fan without a turntable the album also includes Steam codes for the Oddworld: New ‘n Tasty game and mp3 copies of its soundtrack as well as the original Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee soundtrack. Now you can keep those vinyl albums in perfect, unopened condition if you’re a crazed collector.

As for the music itself, the album includes thirteen tracks composed, mixed and mastered by Michael Bross. That covers both the latest New ‘n Tasty released back in February and the original Abe’s Oddysee from 1997.

Tracklist:

A01. A.L.I.V.E.
A02. RuptureFarms 1029
A03. Abe’s Moon
A04. Monsaic Lines
A05. Paramonia

B01. Scrabania
B02. The Temple
B03. Shrykull Revealed
B04. Molluck Watches
B05. The Factory Halts
B06. What A Drag
B07. Shepherd Of Odd
B08. Abe’s Moon (Alternative Version)

You can pre-order and check out more of the album including a sample track at Oddworld’s official site.
Game Music, Indie Music

Singles to Check Out: Michael Bross, Chance Thomas, and E.S. Posthumus

December 2, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Singles to Check Out: Michael Bross, Chance Thomas, and E.S. Posthumus Share this

Kind of a slow week, so I thought I’d get around to sharing with you a few recently released singles that are worth your attention. Some of my favorite composers have been very busy lately, and it’s been much too long since we’ve heard from a number of these guys.

Let me start with Chance Thomas. He recently scored the Monopoly Streets videogame, and while the game may not be your thing, Thomas has composed a pretty interesting jazz piece that acts as the game’s main theme. I was kind of surprised by it as I’m used to hearing a big orchestral sound out of him, but I recommend heading over to VGMdb for more details and picking it up for $0.99 online if you’re interested.

Next up, Michael Bross. We’re huge fans of his work in both videogames and his solo electronic music, but he’s been busy with a number of game projects as well. One of his biggest projects is Firefall, an upcoming MMO from Red 5 Studios. Bross has provided a pretty insightful look into his work on the game, and the team has even made one of his tracks available for download. That’s right, it’s free. You can’t beat that!

Last up is a very special release. E.S. Posthumus brothers Helmut and Franz Vonlichten have been favorites of many of us here on the site, and Helmut had the very unfortunate news earlier this year that his brother, Franz, had unexpectedly passed away. Helmut has gone on to release this single titled “Christmas Eve,” a holiday tune that turned out to be the last recording the brothers would work on. They had planned on releasing an album of Christmas music (a fantastic idea if there ever was one), so hopefully fans enjoy this and keep Franz and his surviving family in mind this holiday season.

Feel free to chime in and let us know what you think of the above singles.
Game Music

Subway Meditations Contest Winner

September 16, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this Subway Meditations Contest Winner

Alright, so we’ve finally selected a winner for our Subway Meditations contest. We were looking for the most entertaining photo of you meditating somewhere special, and we certainly had some interesting entries! The winner, however, was Robby H. with his above entry. He notes, “Sometimes when you need to really meditate only a cavernous bass drum will do. Oh, and a pair of Dr. Peepers goggles works wonders.” Congratulations! At least it’s not as creepy as the scenario that Patrick described in his review of the album.

I did want to give an honorable mention to Joecam, who always sends over hilarious entries. You can see his entry as well as a shot that I took in a polar bear den at Seaworld, demonstrating that I have no idea how to meditate. Check them out after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Subway Meditations Giveaway Contest!

August 18, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 4 Comments Share this Subway Meditations Giveaway Contest!

Are you ready to lock yourselves in the bathroom, light some incense, and jump in the shower while listening to Subway Meditations? I certainly hope not, although that’s exactly what Patrick Gann did (or suggested?) in our review of Michael Bross’s Subway Meditations last month. I simply suggest sitting down and relaxing to the amazing musical ambiance that the CD provides.

Well, Mr. Bross was kind enough to give us an extra copy to give away to you guys. Hopefully you already bought the album, as I highly recommend doing so, but in case you hadn’t just yet, here’s your chance to win a free copy. All you have to do is send us a photo of yourself meditating somewhere special. What’s special, you ask? Whatever you want it to be. The entry that we find the most entertaining (again, we like humor) wins.

Send entries to [email protected] by 11:59pm PST on September 1, 2009 to be considered. Thanks, and good luck!
Game Music, Reviews

Michael Bross: “Subway Meditations” (Review)

July 13, 2009 | Patrick Gann | 3 Comments Share this

Michael Bross is a composer and music producer who broke into the world of VGM when he got the job for two different Oddworld projects: Munch’s Oddysee and Stranger’s Wrath (the latter being a personal favorite of mine). On July 14th, his new solo album Subway Meditations will be released for both physical and digital distribution via Bross’ own “Deep Lever” record label.

If you’re ready for some experimental, minimalist, ambient electronica, you’ll want to read further: after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

A Nice Relaxing Ride On The… Subway? Michael Bross’s Subway Meditations Coming In July!

April 27, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on A Nice Relaxing Ride On The… Subway? Michael Bross’s Subway Meditations Coming In July! Share this

While Michael Bross’s name doesn’t come up nearly enough given that he’s busily working on his next game project over at Red 5, his fans have been fortunate that he’s been able to release his personal work on his Deep Lever record label. We’ve reviewed his Nomad EP and his soundtrack for Oddworld Stranger’s Wrath on OSV, and we’ve been looking forward to his next project.

Well here it is, and as the title’s post suggests, it’s a relaxing ambient project with a focus on the subways of San Francisco and Los Angeles. Bross has announced on his official website that Subway Meditations will be available on July 14, 2009 in a physical format from Deep Lever as well as digitally via Amazon.com, iTunes and eMusic. I highly recommend checking out his “Notes on Subway Meditations” post on the site, as it gives some background about the release and offers some thought provoking commentary on subways as a form of public transportation and a means for human migration.

Will you be looking forward to Bross’s Subway Meditations this coming July? Are you with Michael Bross in his belief that subways are not the filthy, clunky, metallic monstrosities that they are portrayed to be on television?
Game Music, Reviews

Nomad EP: Michael Bross Is More Than Just Twangy Guitars and Awesome Ambience (Review)

August 4, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Nomad EP: Michael Bross Is More Than Just Twangy Guitars and Awesome Ambience (Review) Share this

Okay, I lied. He’s pretty much awesome ambience any way you cut it.

While the only soundtrack release Michael Bross has to his name is Oddworld Stranger’s Wrath (which you should definitely pick up if you haven’t already), that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been busy writing new music for his fans to enjoy. In fact, he’s been busy writing some pretty fine electronic music in the form of Dogs and Their Stars EP and his latest Nomad EP, both released in 2008.

Find out what the Nomad EP has to offer after the jump. Metroid Prime synths, anyone? (more…)